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To sell your ideas to others, and even over resistance, use these tips:

• First, be clear about what you’re selling and it’s value to all stakeholders. To clarify your message so nail it every time you discuss the idea, write out your talking points. Make your core message short, succinct and easy for others to remember and repeat.
• Have a few data points – numbers or anecdotes – to support your claim or request.
• After your sales pitch, ask those who will be involved in implementation, or affected once the change is operational, what they think or how they feel about the idea. Respectfully listen to their input and acknowledge its validity. Then, provide evidence of how their input will be used to refine the idea or the way it’s executed.

You’ll face far less resistance, and garner more support, if you allow stakeholders to imprint your brilliant ideas.